Chapter 12: Closure

ANNABETH POV

I can't believe it. Percy is Theo. I feel like an idiot for not seeing it sooner. And I call him a "Seaweed Brain". My Seaweed Brain.

He's been in the infirmary at camp unconscious for the past three days and I'm worried. Apollo said he had lost a lot of blood and finally stabilized him after an hour of work with help from Will. I've checked on him a few times, but he's never alone. I can't even be at his bedside. There's always a hunter or camper there. 'I wonder if they're not letting me be alone with him,' I thought.

"Hey Annie," I turned to see Thalia approach me. "Hey Thals. How is he?" I asked, seeing as he has been the only thing on my mind the past three days. "He's still out, but he'll be fine. He's a stubborn Kelp-Head after all," she said and I smiled softly. After a brief silence, I finally asked the burning question on my mind.

"Where did he go? Why did he leave? And why didn't he tell anyone?" Okay, questions; plural, but you get the point. Thalia let out a hefty sigh, "Not my place to tell, but since everyone knows he's back, I'm sure you'll find out when he wakes up." I wanted to press her for answers, but after knowing her for so long, I knew she wouldn't budge.

"Why did you accept the offer?" Thalia asked after another pause in the conversation. I had a faraway look in my eyes as I answered, "I had enough. Two prophecies, two wars, all the losses. Tartarus. Accepting was a way to get away from it all. I had thought Percy would have had enough. No, I knew he had had enough of it."

"Annabeth. You knew better than anyone that he wouldn't accept. Gods, he wouldn't shut up about settling down with you," Thalia countered and I looked at her. She wasn't mad. She was a little sad, sure, but I could see mostly disappointment in her eyes. 'Gods, I'd rather her be furious at me.'

As if reading my mind, she said, "I'm not upset. A little disappointed, sure, and definitely surprised. But I couldn't be mad." I let out another sigh. "D-Do you think that we could still make it work? I mean he has partial immortality still! He's done the impossible so many times, the only 'impossible' thing for him left to do is die, but I don't think that even he could do that correctly," I said with hope in my voice.

"I really don't know, Annie. He almost died from Echidna and the Chimera and again against Hyperion. He was hurting bad when he left," she answered truthfully. "When he's ready he'll talk. Just give him the time to recover and settle," she said finally and gave me a hug before leaving.

3RD PERSON POV

Percy certainly didn't have a shortage of visitors while he was unconscious. Thalia stayed the entire first night with him after he saved her life and future with the Hunt. Chiron came by a few times, along with Nico and the other of the Seven. The Hunt popped in at least once, their respect only growing for their Guardian after he saved both their Lady's and their lieutenant's lives. The little ones came everyday to check on him, but Estelle didn't leave his side. Chiron had to drag her away to make sure she ate.

The strangest visitor (at least to most) was Artemis. She checked on him twice everyday to see if there were any changes. She even changed his bandages a few times herself. She wouldn't let anyone but Thalia see it, but she was worried. Her Guardian. Her friend had saved her life yet again. And she feared for when he woke up and had to address those who had forgotten about him.

PERCY POV

~Dream Sequence~

'Yay another dream' though I was completely sarcastic.

I was back in Tartarus. Again. I couldn't rid myself of the damn place. Not until he was defeated, I assumed. However, the Fates seemed to let me go unnoticed by those I saw.

Gathered in Tartarus was the "old gang". Hyperion and Krios weren't there, 'Probably reforming,' I thought though that hardly eased my troubles. Tartarus was sitting on a throne with what I assumed to be his higher ups in front of him. The familiar faces of Kampe, Polybotes, Polypherion, Orion, and Alcyoneus stood in all their terror. 'How have they reformed so fast?'

A few faces I recognized came in shortly after. Oceanus and Tethys were followed by Prometheus and finally a face I didn't recognize, but his aura wasn't anything to sneeze at.

"Hyperion and Krios failed," Tartarus said coldly. "I told you that you shouldn't have sent those pathetic fools," Polypherion spat and Polybotes nodded in agreement. "It matters not. They were bound to fail. Chasing after revenge against one man so blindly," Tartarus replied.

"Milord," Kampe began, "The preparations for the assault on Camp Jupiter are nearly complete. If we weaken the Romans, they won't be able to come to the aid of the Greeks or Olympus."

"Good. Proceed as planned and take Perses with you. But do not fail me. I will ensure you never reform in my domain again if you do," Tartarus said and Kampe flinched. 'So that's Perses, Titan of Destruction. That's gonna be a big fuckin' problem,' I thought. Shortly after, Tartarus dismissed them and was alone in his throne.

"The end of Olympus is near, Jackson," he cackled and the dream faded out.

~Dream Sequence End~

I groggily awoke in a lot of pain. I felt like I fell from Olympus. Then got trampled by six Minotaurs. Then burned. And the cherry on top was the splitting migraine. 'If this is anything like Zeus felt when Athena was born, my apologies to him.'

My eyes fluttered open and I felt a small figure cuddled into my side. I looked over to see Estelle sleeping and drooling as she held my hand. I smiled. 'Good. She's safe.'

I took in my surroundings and saw I was in the camp's infirmary just as Will walked in. He saw me and I gave a small smile. "You gave us quite a scare there, Perce," he said and I panicked. I patted my face with my free hand. "Yeah, your disguise disappeared after you collapsed," he said. I groaned and then winced at the pain. He handed me some ambrosia.

"How did the battle go? Is the Hunt okay? Is Thalia?" I rattled off my questions. "A few casualties from camp and injured hunters," he said sadly. "If you hadn't shown up when you did…" he trailed off. I sighed and relaxed on the bed before he continued. "We held the shroud burnings four days ago."

"Four days!?" I hissed and recoiled from the pain. Unfortunately, I woke up Estelle. She immediately started crying into the crook of my neck and I rubbed her back. "It's okay my little star. I'm okay. You're safe," I soothed her and got her to stop crying after about 15 minutes.

I was out for five days. 'I hope Artemis isn't too mad,' I thought. I gave my toes a wiggle and slowly crept out of bed with my muscles still aching, but I could move at least. I took a quick shower in the guest room and dressed myself. It was dinner time, so I grabbed Estelle's hand and we headed to the dining pavilion.

As soon as I got there, it was silent. Everyone's eyes were on me as I scanned the crowd. Relief was the look on almost everyone's face. I made quick eye contact with the Seven, but couldn't hold it long and looked to Artemis' table. I was abruptly bombarded by the cries and hugs of my little hunters and gave them all a big hug and a smile. I was happy that they were okay. Thalia gave me a soft smile and Artemis looked like the weight of the sky was taken off of her shoulders. 'Weird.'

"Uhh. Hi," I said after a long silence and quickly made my way to the Hunt's table. I could hear small side conversations break out and feel everyone's eyes still as I got my plate of food. I walked to the brazier to sacrifice a portion to the gods. 'For Poseidon, Hestia, Mom, and Artemis.' I thought and returned to my table.

The silence finally became unbearable and it was Jason who spoke up, "Where did you go?" Leo spoke up next and I noticed Calypso next to him, "Why did you go?" 'I really don't want to do this right now,' I thought and Chiron saved me. "Campers, let him eat. We will have a meeting with the trainers and the head counsellors [head counsellors like the Stolls, Katie, Clarisse, Chris, etc] tomorrow morning," he said, offering me a small smile. I mouthed, "Thank you" to him and everyone reluctantly went back to their meals. The staring was not as prominent, but still ever present.

After I finished eating, I approached Artemis and gave my half-bow with a little pain, "Milady, I would like to go to the beach before I retire for the evening. May we speak tomorrow?" She looked like she wanted to say no, but eventually nodded.

3RD PERSON POV

Most of the campers went to the campfire after dinner and a few of the hunters that had come from camp had gone as well. 'Probably enjoying time with their siblings while they can,' Percy thought as he headed to the beach.

Percy waded into the water up to his waist and floated on his back for half an hour, thinking about his dream and what to do next. Part of him knew the best way to get intel on the enemy was to either go to Tartarus himself, or join them with the front that he was against the gods. He quickly dismissed the first idea as he couldn't leave Estelle and the others. He also couldn't just abandon his post as Guardian for the latter idea.

He decided that he would talk to Artemis and the Council soon and headed back to shore. He sat on the beach for what felt like hours before someone approached. He sensed them far before they got to him, but he was really dreading them coming at all.

ANNABETH POV

I found Percy on the beach like I always used to. I thought about what I was going to say the entire dinner and walk over, but by the time I was 30 feet away, I still had no idea where to even begin. I wanted to just tackle him into a hug and kiss him and cry because he was gone for so long.

"Couldn't wait until morning, huh?" he said to me without turning around. 'How the Hades did he know I was coming?' I thought. "I sensed you as you left the dining pavilion. That, and it doesn't take a Child of Athena to deduce you would've come eventually," he said as if reading my thoughts.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and sat down next to him, but we remained there in silence for a few minutes. I finally got the courage to ask, "Where did you go?" He was quiet for a moment, probably thinking if he wanted to even tell me or not.

"I went to get away from it all for a while," he said finally. "I needed some time to myself." He was being rather cryptic and I knew better than to push it, but I couldn't help it. "Why did you go?" I asked, but he just shook his head. "I will tell you with everyone else tomorrow morning. I need to gather my thoughts still." 'Since when does he think so carefully about things?' I mused and he let out a small humorless chuckle, as if reading my thoughts again. "It's been a long five years, Annabeth. I've changed."

We sat in more uncomfortable silence, so in an attempt to get my Seaweed Brain back I told him, "I met your sister. Well, I didn't know you had a sister, but she's adorable. Good with a bow too." I looked over at him and he gazed out to the water. A sad smile seemed to want to form on his lips, but it looked more like a grimace. "Estelle. She's seven and quite the little pistol," he said and I smiled.

"She was one of my conditions for becoming Guardian. I couldn't leave her, so she came with me," he said, still gazing at the water. "She's the exact opposite of you. Well-mannered and pretty clever," I said teasingly. And for the shortest possible moment, I saw a glimpse of my Percy as he chuckled lightly. "I don't think the Olympians, much less the Hunt, could handle another one of me," he mused.

The silence came back again, but this time less uncomfortable. He sighed one last time and rose from the beach. "I'm gonna turn in for the night. You'll hear all about where I've been tomorrow," he said softly and bid me goodnight. I stayed on the beach for a little while longer before I did the same. 'He's still in there. Maybe. Just maybe, we can make this work,' I thought as I left for bed.

ARTEMIS POV

I couldn't take my eyes off Percy the entire dinner. Luckily, everyone was staring at him, so I didn't get any weird looks for doing it. But I could see the tension in his shoulders from the atmosphere at dinner. It made me sad that he, my only male friend, was so uncomfortable. I decided I would talk to him after dinner.

As I headed toward the beach, I noticed that the daughter of Athena had beaten me to him. A part of me was a little angry that she had. A little jealous even. I felt like I should have been the one to ease his discomfort. But I had learned from last time that I shouldn't eavesdrop, so I busied myself and hoped to catch him before he went to bed.

I caught him as he headed to the Poseidon Cabin and stopped him before he got in.

"How are you feeling?" I said, scaring him half to death. I laughed at his surprised reaction, but tried to cover it with a hand over my mouth. "Gods, Artemis. Don't sneak up on me like that!" he whisper-yelled. "I thought you could sense me coming?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, yeah usually. I was lost in thought I guess." My expression shifted from teasing to concern. "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked softly. He let out a sigh that seemed to age him 10 years, "No. At least not tonight. It can wait until tomorrow." I reluctantly nodded and he bid me goodnight. He closed the cabin door and I turned to look at it one last time. "Dream well, Perseus."

3RD PERSON POV

The next morning came and those requested for the meeting were all seated around the ping pong table in the Big House. Jason gripping Piper's hand, Leo tinkering with scraps as Calypso had a hand on his shoulder, and the head counsellors all shuffling nervously.

Percy, Thalia, and Estelle all headed for the Big House where they awaited. Estelle and the little ones refused to leave his side, but Artemis and Phoebe dragged the others to the archery range. Estelle gave Artemis and Percy the puppy dog eyes and they agreed to let her join her brother. Percy definitely couldn't say no to them and Artemis was starting to cave to them as well.

PERCY POV

I opened the door in the Big House and saw everyone waiting for me. Each one of them was busying themselves from the nerves in some way. I grabbed a seat as Thalia stood behind me and handed me a water bottle and Estelle climbed into my lap. Everyone smiled at that.

"So, I'm sure you have some questions," I said. Everyone nodded, but Jason spoke up first, "Where did you go?" I looked at all of them in turn, holding eye contact with Annabeth longer than I should've, and began telling them of my travels. I told them about Australia and my training. Then about Japan and the training I did there. All of them were shocked that I had gotten so good with a bow.

I told them about how I traveled around the north and how Khoine trained me in my temperature manipulation. Piper, Jason, and Leo flinched at the mention of her name because of the last time they had met her. I assured them that she wasn't that bad. I finally told them about how Estelle and I were living in Seattle and my missions while Estelle was in the care of the Amazons and finally becoming Guardian of the Hunt.

They all took their time to digest my words. Most of them smiling about my adventures and abilities. 'They think everything is back to normal,' I thought as I read their thoughts. But one question lingered in the air. "Why did you go?" Annabeth asked. "Why did you need to get away?"

I scratched at a nonexistent itch on the back of my neck and sighed. "A month after the war, before the ceremony, things changed. Peace had finally settled in for everyone and… you all forgot about me," I said and many of them were shocked. "Dude, what do you mean? We would never forget you," Leo said for everyone. I clenched my jaw and Estelle grabbed my hand, making me relax.

"The war was over. No more fighting, no more quests, no more problems. You all went your own ways. You to your workshop, Jason and Piper to themselves, Frank and Hazel back to New Rome. I wasn't needed anymore. I was expendable. The Hero of Olympus, but you all cast me aside like a blunted weapon," I said, addressing Leo and I couldn't keep all the bitterness out of my voice.

All of them but Annabeth, Clarisse, and Chris looked guilty at the realization. They had no idea that I had felt that way. 'The truth stings,' I thought. "But I didn't. Percy I never left!" Annabeth argued and I tensed, trying to calm myself. "No. Not then. But then the ceremony happened and you accepted godhood. And our plans for the future were thrown to the winds," I nearly whispered, but everyone heard me.

I could see the tears starting to gather in her eyes, but continued before anyone could interrupt. "And then," my voice cracked and my own tears gathered. "I went to see my mom and Paul and Estelle and…" The first tear ran down my cheek, "when I got there, I found Paul with a spear in his stomach and his neck snapped." The tears were flowing freely now, "A-and an empousai had just f-finished draining my mom."

Annabeth gasped and started crying as well. Everyone else looked down, trying to hide their own tears. I could hear Thalia sniffling behind me. Estelle buried her face into my neck and was crying as well. I gathered myself with another breath. "Gaea had sent them as a contingency," I whispered. At this, Leo's hair was smoking as it threatened to burst into flames and Jason got up to punch the wall with an electrified fist.

"I went to my mom's side. She told me it was her time and that she loved me and was proud of me and to take care of Estelle." I paused to rub soothing circles on Estelle's back as she was calming down, calming myself in the process. "Hestia and Hera showed up shortly after I found Estelle in her crib and then adopted the two of us and became my patron."

I could tell no one knew what to say. Shock, sadness, and guilt were the only emotions that lingered in the room. "I-It just hurt so bad. My mom was all I could take, so I left," I finished for Thalia to walk behind me and place a hand on my shoulder and Estelle to wipe the tears off of my cheeks for me. I placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Percy," Piper began, but I cut her off with a raise of my hand. "Don't. Please. I'll still fight to protect you all. That won't change. But I couldn't and can't stay here. I have little ones in the Hunt that mean the world to me. Sisters to me and Estelle. Friends like Thalia, Phoebe, Atalanta, and Artemis to protect, with my life if necessary. I've found a new home." I said and a small smile graced my lips. I could feel Thalia smiling behind me and Estelle into my neck.

The rest around the room nodded sadly. All of them at least seemed to understand. All except Annabeth. "So that's where I've been and why I left," I said with finality.

3RD PERSON POV

The ones in the meeting filed out. Some apologized to Percy and he just nodded and smiled softly as he hoped that they wouldn't feel too guilty and just be happy for him. Percy handed Estelle to Thalia and finally it was just Percy and Annabeth left in the room. Percy had anticipated this.

ANNABETH POV

I sat there. Numb. After listening to his entire story and everyone filed out. He never let on that he had been feeling that way. No one expected it. As I sat there while everyone left, I felt like shit. 'I helped drive him away,' I thought. 'And Sally. The best woman on the planet. Fate was cruel. No, Fate was beyond cruel.' Before the guilt overwhelmed me, I steeled myself, 'I am NOT letting him get away again. We can make this work,' I thought, full of hope. And then it was just us.

"Percy. When you were gone, I thought about you constantly. And after hearing why, I… I want to make this work. It was my fault, and it's going to be complicated, but I want this. I want us!" I pleaded to him.

He took a deep breath. "I-I don't know, Annabeth." My heart shattered. "Percy, please." I said in tears. "How would it work? I'm traveling with the Hunt now, I would rarely be at camp and with Tartarus rising…" he trailed off, but I pressed forward with determination.

"I'm a goddess now, Seaweed Brain. I can flash to you wherever you are. I can talk to Lady Artemis and approve visiting times. We can have a family. Just please. We can figure this out as we go. We can make this work!" I was freely blubbering at this point.

I could see him nearly crying as well. "I have my mission to carry out. On top of my duties to the Hunt and training the little ones. I'm only partially immortal, but I could still die and with the war coming… I-I just can't Annabeth. I've had five years to myself to sort myself out and as much as it hurts me and believe me it hurts worse than the Styx, I can't do that. I can't ask that of you. Especially because you have eternity."

I broke down completely. I was sobbing into my hands. I felt his arms wrap around me and I latched to him like a lifeline. He rubbed soothing circles into my back like he did with his sister. I knew he hated seeing me like this. I hated being like this. Weak. Emotional. Vulnerable. I breathed in his scent; the scent I had missed for five years. 'Sea breeze.'

It felt like an eternity with my face buried in his chest, but as soon as he pulled me off, it felt far too short. He grabbed me by the arms and looked right into my eyes. The same sea-green into stormy grey. "Annabeth. A part of my heart will always belong to you. You will always be my Wise Girl. But… I can't. It was beautiful for a time there," he said and I choked out another sob, accompanied by some whimpers.

He raised my face up to look at him again with a delicate hand under my chin. I drank in every last detail of him I could. Etching it into my mind permanently. He placed both hands on my cheeks and placed a chaste kiss onto my forehead. I relished the feeling of his lips on my skin. The goosebumps I felt as the kiss seared onto my forehead and into my memories. A goodbye kiss.

He gave my arms one last squeeze. And then he left. He left and I broke down into a watery wreck. 'It was beautiful for a time there' those words echoed in my head like a broken vinyl. I couldn't take it, so I flashed to the only person that could comfort me right now. Mother.

3RD PERSON POV

Percy felt terrible for leaving Annabeth like that. No matter how much time passed, he could never bring himself to do anything but hate seeing her like that. Yet, as he felt empty for leaving her, there was a newfound lightness in his soul. Closure.

Percy tended to his duties the remainder of the day, but his heart wasn't completely in it. He trained himself and the young ones. Plastering a fake smile to his face to get through the day. He knew it would take time, but this went unnoticed by all. All, except Artemis.

ARTEMIS POV

Percy wasn't happy. It didn't take Aphrodite to see the heartbreak in his demeanor. My friend was hurting and I wanted to comfort him. I needed to comfort him.

I found him at the beach again later that night. He didn't seem to sense me again meaning he was lost in his thoughts, but this time I didn't tease him. I simply plopped onto the ground next to him and enjoyed the somber mood for a few moments.

I finally spoke, "How was the talk?" He let out a sigh. "It went as well as I could've hoped. I told them everything I've done and why I left. They felt guilty. I could see it on their faces, but I still want to protect them. I can't stay with them, but I still care for them," he said softly. I tried to lighten the mood, "Of course you can't stay with them. You belong to me and the Hunt now." He looked at me weirdly for a second then chuckled, "A little possessive there wouldn't you say, Arty."

I rolled my eyes at him, but found a warmth within me that I couldn't explain. "You know what I meant, smart ass," I chided him and he laughed again. A real genuine laugh. "What's so funny?" I asked. His laughter subsided and he said, "That's the first time I've been called that. Usually it's 'Seaweed Brain or Kelp-Head." I smirked at him, "Or Sea Sponge?" He chuckled again, "Yes. Or Sea Sponge."

A comfortable silence set in. Most silences I have with Percy are comfortable. When it's just the two of us, we don't always need words. Unfortunately, my curiosity didn't allow it to stay. "Did you talk to the Daughter of Athena?" I asked and saw him tense, but it was only slight. "Yeah," he said and I waited for him to continue. When he didn't, I leaned over and nudged his shoulder with my own, "And?"

Another labored sigh from him before he said, "She wanted to make it work. Date, marry, kids, all of it. She even said she'd talk to you about setting up visiting times since I'm with the Hunt 24/7." I was glad that she would think to ask me to set up a schedule, but Percy would be far too busy with his duties and his mission to really have it work.

As if reading my thoughts, Percy said, "But I told her I couldn't do it. I have the girls to train and care for and chores and my mission." Another lull in the conversation was occupied by the sounds of the tides. "So, that's it then? No more relationships?" I asked. Usually I couldn't care less about these sorts of things, but after seeing how much anguish it caused him, it felt right to ask. He smiled softly and shook his head. "No, Milady. I'm far too busy for that. A part of me will always love her and that hurts, but I think we both got what we needed: Closure."

I nodded to him, not sure what to say next and the sounds of the tides occupied the air around us again. "Well, enough about that sappy shit. You don't like hearing about that sort of stuff," he began and I smiled at his awareness, though it wasn't so terrible to hear from Percy. "I had a dream while I was out," his expression shifted to serious. "Tartarus is likely sending a force to Camp Jupiter soon. I don't know how many, but he's sending Kampe and Perses."

I gazed out upon the water as I pondered his words. "Though he sensed my presence in the dream. There's a chance that it's a bluff or a diversion. I'll need to gather intel, and fast," he finished. I looked at him and nodded. "Very well. You will head out tomorrow to see what you can gather. The Hunt will leave the day after next and head west. Make sure you either IM me or send a mental message of your discoveries," I told him. 'Back to business I suppose.'

He helped me to my feet and we bid each other farewell. "Stay safe, Sea Sponge," I told him as he walked toward his cabin. "You got it, Moonlace!" he called over his shoulder with a wave. I smiled for one last time that night as I walked back to my cabin.

AN: Chapter 12 there it is! I pretty much wrote that as I went and was surprised by how well it flowed together. Ending Annabeth and Percy on good terms is interesting to me. I think it brings a little more heartache to the story as they want to be together but recognize the time for that is past. Let me know what you think!